Description
Thubten Chodron’s illuminating explication of Togmay Zangpo’s revered text, The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas, doesn’t just explain its profound meaning; in dozens of passages she lets her students and colleagues share first-person stories of the ways that its teachings have changed their lives. Some bear witness to dramatic transformations—making friends with an enemy prisoner-of-war, finding peace after the murder of a loved one—while others tell of smaller lessons, like waiting for something to happen or coping with a minor injury. (Source: Shambhala Publications)
- Appreciationix
- Introduction: Don't Believe Everything You Think1
- 1. Helpful Background7
- 2. Starting Out on the Path17
- Paying Homage17
- Verse 1: Precious Human Life and How to Use It Wisely18
- Verse 2: The Poisons of Attachment, Anger, and Ignorance27
- Verse 3: Calming the Mind, Simplifying Our Lives35
- 3. Transitioning43
- Verse 4: Looking at Death and Dealing with Loss43
- Verse 5: Bad Friends and Why We Don't Need Them51
- Verse 6: Relying on a Spiritual Friend55
- Verse 7: Turning to the Buddhist Path for Spiritual Guidance61
- 4. The Next Step67
- Verse 8: Watch What You're Doing: Your Actions Have Results67
- Verse 9: Aspiring for Freedom: Why Worldly Pleasures Won't Cut It71
- 5. Cultivating Love, Compassion, and Altruism77
- Verse 10: The Kindness of Others and Wanting to Repay it77
- Verse 11: Shifting from the Self-Centered Thought to Cherishing Others82
- 6. Transforming Distressing Events91
- Verse 12: Living with Loss91
- Verse 13: Transforming Suffering95
- Verse 14: Facing Blame101
- Verse 15: Working with Criticism105
- 7. Dealing with Difficulties111
- Verse 16: Betrayal111
- Verse 17: Squashing Our Ego117
- Verse 18: Ending the Pity Party120
- Verse 19: Don't Let Success Go to Your Head126
- 8. The Hated and the Desired133
- Verse 20: Working with Anger133
- Verse 21: The Misery of Attachment140
- 9. The True Nature147
- Verse 22: Who Am I?147
- Verse 23: Chasing Rainbows151
- Verse 24: Sufferings Is Like a Dream154
- 10. Practices to Last a Lifetime161
- Verse 25: Opening Our Heart161
- Verse 26: Stopping the Harm169
- Verse 27: Having a Steady Mind175
- Verse 28: Joyous Effort180
- Verse 29: Meditation183
- Verse 30: Far-Reaching Wisdom186
- 11. Joyfully Staying on the Path191
- Verse 31: Facing Our Faults191
- Verse 32: The Internal Judge and Jury196
- Verse 33: Reputation and Reward200
- Verse 34: Zipping Our Lips203
- Verse 35: Banishing Bad Habits210
- Verse 36: Mindfulness214
- Verse 37: Dedication the Goodness217
- Epilogue: Putting it into Practice221
- Appendix I: Root Text: The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas225
- Appendix II: Outline of The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas233
- Glossary237
- Further Reading243
